Adeleke Orders APC LG Chairmen to Vacate Offices, Warns Against Illegality

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has directed local government chairmen elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to immediately vacate council secretariats, stating that their “self-awarded tenure” ended on October 22, 2025.

In a statement on Wednesday, the governor described the chairmen’s continued occupation of council offices and handling of public funds as unlawful, a violation of state laws, and an abuse of local government autonomy.

“Local government autonomy is not a license for the unjustifiable seizure of council funds meant for local health workers, teachers, and pensioners,” Adeleke said, noting that his administration has continued to pay council staff to prevent hardship.

The governor insisted that the officials, having no legal mandate, should leave office immediately. He added that the tenure in question was illegal from the outset and formally ended last year.

“In a democracy, unelected individuals cannot claim local governments or tamper with public funds. Tenures cannot be extended unlawfully, even for a day, without consequences,” Adeleke warned. He further called on security agencies not to provide cover for persons whose mandates have expired.

Adeleke also faulted the APC officials for seeking judicial extension of their tenure while still occupying office, stressing that filing a court case does not equate to an extension of mandate under the constitution.

The governor accused a commercial bank of colluding with individuals without mandates to operate local government accounts, describing the act as criminal and currently before the courts.

He said the Presidency had been informed of the situation, warning against invoking President Bola Tinubu’s name to justify illegality, and urged the protection of democratic practices in Osun State.